SMOB Advisory Council Application Deadline Extended to December 12
The application deadline for the Student Member of the Board Advisory Council has been extended to Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. due to increased interest.
About the SMOB Advisory Council
The SMOB Advisory Council is a student-led group that supports Student Member of the Board James "Trae" McVicker in representing student voice across Harford County Public Schools. Council members provide input on Board matters and assist with student engagement initiatives, including social media, legislation, policy research, and outreach.
Eligibility
Students in grades 6–12
Must meet HCPS academic eligibility requirements
Application Requirements
Principal recommendation confirming academic eligibility and positive school citizenship
Parent permission form submitted through the online application
Students who are passionate about student voice and leadership are encouraged to apply.
Questions? Contact Student Member of the Board James "Trae" McVicker at james.mcvicker@hcps.org or Supervisor of Social Studies Erin Lange at erin.lange@hcps.org.
The Board of Education of Harford County invites the HCPS community to one of the remaining Engage for Education listening sessions during the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are your opportunity to ask questions and share feedback directly with Board members about the future of education in Harford County. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
Upcoming Sessions (All 5:30-7:30 p.m.):
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 - Joppatowne High School
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Fallston High School
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A.A. Roberty Building (student-only session)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Aberdeen High School
Schools closed to students on Thursday, November 6, 2025, for Elementary School Parent/Teacher conferences.
Schools will be closed to students and visitors on Friday, November 7, 2025, to allow ALL building staff to participate in professional development opportunities.
Schools and offices OPEN on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Schools and Offices CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day.
Click here to see calendar information for the 2025-2026 school year.
Federal Impact Aid Forms Due November 7, 2025
If you are active military personnel, a civilian, or a federal employee working and/or living on federal property, your student has received or will soon receive a Federal Impact Aid form.
Please complete and return the Federal Impact Aid form to your child’s school by Friday, November 7, 2025. This funding directly supports Harford County Public Schools.
If your student is not attending school in person, a blank form was emailed to all HCPS families, is available on the Resources for Parents page under “Forms and Documents” at www.hcps.org, and available by clicking here.
Please contact your student’s school if you have any questions.
Harford County Public Schools invites community members to provide feedback on the Superintendent’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
Two Superintendent’s Community Budget Public Input Sessions will be held:
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Edgewood High School
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Bel Air High School
Before attending, you are encouraged to complete a brief, two-minute survey to share your priorities and questions for the FY27 Budget. The survey is open now through November 9, 2025, at 11:45 p.m.
It’s National School Lunch Week! Harford County Public Schools is proud to celebrate our Food and Nutrition employees, whose dedication and hard work ensure students have healthy, balanced meals every day. These meals provide the fuel students need to learn, grow, and succeed, and our staff do it with care and commitment in every school. Join us this week in recognizing their incredible contributions and showing your appreciation for the team that keeps our students nourished and ready to learn.
Students in grades 3–12 will have the opportunity to take the optional Wellness Needs Assessment between October 20 and November 17, 2025. The assessment helps HCPS learn how to better support students. Families who do not want their child to participate should contact their child’s school counselor by October 13, 2025. Click here to see a copy of the Wellness Needs Assessment.
Join us for the Second Annual HBCU College Fair on Wednesday, October 29th from 6-8 PM at Joppatowne High School! Students and families are invited to meet with college representatives, learn about academic programs and scholarships, and explore exciting opportunities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Click here to register.
Students who participated in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in the Spring of 2025 will receive their individual score reports the week of October 6, 2025. Reports will be sent home by each student’s school and provide information about student performance. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.
Students who participated in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in the Spring of 2025 will receive their individual score reports the week of October 6, 2025. Reports will be sent home by each student’s school and provide information about student performance. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.
Meal benefit applications may be filed at any time during the year - if your family has been impacted by the Federal Government shutdown and furloughs, please utilize the Free and Reduced-Priced meal application to apply for meal support due to the sudden loss of income. Click here to apply online.
October is National Principals Month! This is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated leaders who guide our schools each day. Principals play a vital role in supporting students, staff, and families while shaping positive school communities. Join us in thanking our principals for their leadership and commitment to student success.
HCRASC commUNITY in Motion 5K & Family Fun Run – Saturday, October 18
The Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils (HCRASC) invites families and community members to participate in the commUNITY in Motion 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run. This student-run event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air. Gates open at 9:00 AM and the race starts at 10:00 AM.
Join HCRASC for a morning of fitness, fun, and community while supporting HCPS student leaders. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Upper Chesapeake Health for Breast Cancer Care.
Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Children under 5-years-old are free. Click here to register.
Mark your calendars! HCPS Class of 2026 graduations run May 22-29 and June 5. Most ceremonies will take place at APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. Stay tuned for information on how to watch the graduations live as we get closer to the graduation date. Good luck Class of 2026!
The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2025–2026 school year. The first session is Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the C. Milton Wright High School auditorium.
These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County directly with Board members. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
More information, including how to provide feedback if you cannot attend, is available on the Engage for Education page at hcps.org.
HCPS schools will dismiss three hours early for students on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Please note: half-day Pre-K will not meet on early dismissal days. The full 2025–2026 school year calendar is available by clicking here.
The Harford County College and Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the APGFCU Arena. Students and families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 100 colleges, military organizations, and local businesses. A full list of participants is available at go.harford.edu/college-career. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.
This week, HCPS joins schools across the country in celebrating the power of the arts in education. From music and theater to visual and digital arts, the arts inspire creativity, build confidence, and help students discover their voices.
Join the Harford County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) for their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Networking begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
The agenda includes a Co-Chair Election, Meet Your SECAC, and an HCPS Special Education presentation.
This meeting will be held virtually.
Click here to register.
The following is being shared with families who have Kindergarten students in HCPS, on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE):
This fall your student will take the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA is an assessment that measures a student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in literacy, mathematics, and social and emotional development. It is given to all kindergarten students enrolled in public schools in Maryland by October 10th each year. The purpose of the KRA is to provide teachers and caregivers with information about what students know and can do, as well as to identify areas where they might need additional support. The assessment has three components:
• Star Early Literacy - 10-minute computer adaptive assessment of early literacy skills
• Star Math – 15-minute computer adaptive assessment of math skills
• SAEBRS (Social Academic Emotional Behavior Risk Screen) – 19-question survey completed based on
teacher observation
Most students will take the literacy and mathematics components of the KRA on a computer or tablet. The test will be read out loud to students who will use a mouse or touchscreen to select answers. Paper tests, ASL interpretation, and other accommodations are available for students who need them. Teachers will complete the social and emotional component of the assessment after spending the first few weeks of school getting to know students and completing observations.
Caregivers will receive information about how their student performed after the assessment has been administered. The results provide information about a student's mastery of the content and skills that will support their success in kindergarten. Performance on the KRA does not prevent a child from entering or remaining in kindergarten. The KRA results are only one piece of data, and scores should be understood in the context of other information, including feedback from a student’s teacher.
If you have questions about the KRA please speak with your student’s teacher.
Sincerely,
Erika McCrea
Executive Director of State Assessments
